Orissa tribal areas open to foreigners

In a significant development, the Orissa government has lifted its restrictions on visits by foreign tourists to tribal pockets in the state. The relaxation came after over three years, officials said on Friday. It is expected that the relaxation in restrictions would enable foreign tourists to trek and learn the lifestyle of primitive tribes living in the hilly terrain. The state government revised the guidelines for regulation of visits by foreign tourists and researchers following recommendations of a committee headed by the home secretary. The committee recommended some security guidelines that need to be adhered to by foreign tourists and researchers during their visits. As per the revised guidelines, foreign tourists shall now have to pay respect to the culture and tradition of the tribals. They have been instructed to take photographs only with the consent of tribals. The tourists have to submit their proposed itinerary to police superintendents of the concerned districts, and the tourist officer of the districts will coordinate if they are intimated in advance, the guidelines said.

It is also mandatory that foreign travellers use tourist guides approved by the state government. The state government had imposed restrictions on visits of foreign tourists and researchers to tribal areas in 2012 following abduction of two Italian citizens – Bosusco Paolo and Claudio Colangelo – by Maoists from Kandhamal district.